Upcoming Gatherings
Gathering leaders in clergy and congregational well-being.
Trauma and Holistic Transformation with Opportunities from the Louisville Institute
Many North American scholars, pastors, and spiritual leaders approach trauma from an individualistic perspective. In this virtual gathering, Claremont School of Theology's Aizaiah Yong shares resources, practical integrations, and new models of trauma care that extend beyond individualistic approaches toward holistic care supporting post-traumatic healing, growth, and lifelong transformation.
Additionally, Executive Director of The Louisville Institute Vanessa Lovelace will share about upcoming grant opportunities for scholars and practitioners.
From Scarcity to Abundance: Congregational Assets and Community Renewal
Many congregations are navigating tightening budgets, limited resources, and growing uncertainty about how to serve their communities faithfully in this moment. Yet churches continue to hold significant relational, spiritual, physical, and communal assets that can become catalysts for renewal.
In this interactive virtual gathering, Rev. Dr. Reggie Blount, Executive Director of the Oikos Institute for Social Impact, will explore how congregations can identify and steward these assets in ways that strengthen neighborhood well-being, foster communal flourishing, and support economic renewal. Participants will be introduced to practical tools and frameworks for reimagining how churches can engage their communities with greater creativity, hope, and impact.
Beyond the Bi-Vocational Pastor: Reimagining Co-Vocational Congregations
Across denominations, churches are wrestling with growing financial pressures, clergy exhaustion, and questions about the long-term sustainability of traditional ministry models. In response, leaders are reimagining not only the role of pastors, but the vocation and participation of the whole congregation.
In this virtual gathering, Rebeca Heringer and Ellen Duffield of Co-Vocational Canada will be joined by journalist and UCC minister Jeffrey MacDonald for a conversation on emerging models of co-vocational ministry and congregational life. Together, they will explore how churches can move beyond traditional assumptions about ministry toward more collaborative, resilient, and sustainable approaches to leadership and participation. Participants will also learn about practical resources, mini-courses, and certificate opportunities for further formation.
2026 Church Mental Health Summit
A free online event October 7,8 & 9th.
Learn practical strategies from global leaders and be equipped to care for your church and community. A global online gathering for ministry leaders who want to care with confidence, wisdom, and compassion. Join thousands of pastors, care teams, counselors, and church volunteers who are building cultures of care in their churches and communities.
Pastoring Across Political Divides
As political polarization continues to shape congregational life across the United States, many clergy are navigating growing tensions between their own convictions and the political realities of the communities they serve. In this virtual gathering, Duke Clergy Health Collaborative researcher David Eagle will explore new findings from a study of 648 United Methodist clergy examining the relationship between political mismatch, congregational conflict, and occupational distress.
Together, we will reflect on how political conflict impacts clergy well-being, why some ministry leaders experience greater feelings of mismatch than others, and what these dynamics reveal about the future of ministry in an increasingly polarized culture. The conversation will also explore how churches and denominational leaders might cultivate healthier practices of dialogue, care, and formation in divided times.
Run Hard. Rest Well.: Building Rhythms That Prevent Burnout
Ministry leaders know how to run hard. We don't know how to strategically stop and rest guilt-free. Over time, pervasive overload and exhaustion robs us of joy and leads to a growing disconnect between vocation and well-being.
In this interactive gathering, Brenda Jank, Founder and CEO of Run Hard. Rest Well., will pose questions that hit a nerve. She will also share simple, ready to use tools that position leaders and their people to move the dial on persistent fatigue. Drawing from her own experiences of ministry, burnout, and grief, Brenda will share a wellness model grounded in four biblical rhythms: a weekly strategic stop, sleep, personal prayer, and personal retreat. Participants will be invited to re-examine the cadence of work and rest for God's best work in us and through us.
Any questions?
We’d love to welcome you to these gatherings.
Please let us know if you have any questions or ways we can create a more comfortable space for you.